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Esteam Travel Steamer – Amazon Lightning Deal

Written by T.I. Cruiser on December 1, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Today it looks like Amazon is having another lightning deal that may be of interest to some of you. It looks like starting at 11:00 am EST today (Dec 1) the Jiffy Esteam Travel Steamerwill be one of the lightning deals. What this means is for a limited amount of time you will be able to pick up one of these items at a reduced price. Usually the reduced price is 15% or more but this will only last from the start time (11am) until either a predetermined time elapses or a certain number of units are sold.

The Jiffy Esteam Steamerhas great reviews on the Amazon.com website and I will be picking one up, assuming they don’t run out before I can get to it. Although I don’t always partake in formal nights, when I do I like to look my best. The problem is sometimes its impossible to get out some travel wrinkles using conventional methods. That is where the Esteam will come in handy. Since I am a pretty light packer I shouldn’t have a problem fitting the 2 pound unit into my luggage. The unit that is on sell is from their pink breast cancer awareness series.

Due to the color and the fact that it’ll probably get confiscated by my girlfriend as soon as she see’s it, I’ll probably end up wrapping it up and stuffing it under the tree for her. If you are trying to put together a travel kit that involves finding a way to stay wrinkle free, you might want to click over to Amazon.com just before 11 am to pick up a Jiffy Esteam .

Please note the sale price will not show until 11am EST at which time you will be able to select the Esteam at the lightning deal price.

Fanmail Friday: January 30th Edition

Written by T.I. Cruiser on January 30, 2009 · Leave a Comment

I would like to take a cruise but don’t like the idea of getting dressed up for dinner every night. Are there any cruises that don’t require formal dinner wear?

To be completely honest most of the mainstream cruise lines suggest formal dinner wear during certain nights of your cruise. However, these are only guidelines and not strict rules. On most of the mainstream lines, you will see a significant percentage of passengers that choose not to partake in formal nights. The cruise lines recognize that dressing up isn’t for everyone, but please be forewarned that you may not be able to dine in the main dining rooms unless you adhere to the guidelines there are a multitude of places available to eat.

I was told that you would receive much better dining room service if you tip the maitre d’ on the first night of the cruise. Is this true or just a message board myth?

Honestly, I expect good service the minute I step foot onboard the ship. Although I have never had to complain, if I ever experienced poor service I would just complain, but I refuse to bribe anyone into doing their job. Now, if I ever have to make an unusual or unreasonable request I would feel inclined to compensate them for their trouble, but under most circumstances, I would never pre-tip. Besides, if we are looking at bribing someone for performance what is their incentive to provide good service if I show them the money up front.

I am taking a cruise on Princess cruise line and wanted to know if I will be allowed to wear a Scottish kilt and jacket to formal night onboard the cruise ship?

Although this is probably the strangest question I have received to date, I actually do have an answer. A couple of years ago I was onboard the Crown Princess and saw a table full of Scots wearing their kilts. They really stood out from the crowd and although I don’t have the legs for it (and I’m not Scottish) I really thought they looked great. In other words go for it, just make sure you also wear a jacket and tie, not just the kilt.

Ignore Formal Night Dress Codes at Your Own Risk

Written by T.I. Cruiser on December 9, 2008 · Leave a Comment

All cruise ships have dress codes but none are strictly enforced, they are more like dress guidelines. These guidelines range from encouraging guests to wear tuxedos and gowns to simply asking that guests wear clothing. Even with these loose guidelines, you will run into those who try to push the envelope that much more. More often than not, the cruise lines will ignore someone wearing shorts in the dining room but that is not always the case.

I remember being on a Princess Cruise a few years ago where I witnessed someone being turned away. It was the second formal night of a Southern Caribbean cruise and we were all waiting for admittance into the dining room. Once they opened the doors people started filing into the room. Just before my place in the line was a family (mom, dad and two little boys) that apparently didn’t notice that it was formal night. The Maitre D stopped them before they made their way into the dining room and refused to admit them. The wife was in a sundress, while the children wore slacks and polo shirts and the father (in my opinion the big offender) was in jeans and a polo shirt. They were told they could eat on the lido deck but not in the dining room that night. I remember thinking that had the father been wearing even khakis with his polo shirt the Maitre D probably would have admitted them. Sadly, this wasn’t the case and as they walked away, I remember hearing one of the little boys asking his father, “why can’t we eat here”.

Although it was a couple of years ago, I do remember not knowing how to feel about that situation. The side of me that advocates observing the rules of cruise ship etiquette was happy the rules were finally being enforced. The side of me that remembered what it felt like to be an innocent kid embarrassed by a choice my father made cringed. What I do remember clearly is when this picture perfect family got turned away both sides of me learned that ignoring the formal night dress code was a risky proposition that was not for the feint of heart.

How do you feel about formal night dress codes?